City looking into hiring grant writer

NEW BERN -- Goldsboro City Council members have discussed the possibility of hiring a grant writer whose sole function would be to research and write applications for state and federal money.

Assistant City Manager Tasha Logan recommended council members pursue more information about the position, saying the job would help city projects receive funding.

"When you look at Stoney Creek Park or a Community Center project, these are all programs we should be able to find some funding for," she said.

Mrs. Logan said she is seeking information on similar positions with other municipalities across the state.

City Council members said they would like to see more information to help decide whether the job would be worth the additional salary.

Mrs. Logan also suggested the purchase of eCivis, a computer program that would help with grant research. The system offers a number of services, most notably a search engine that makes finding grants easier, Mrs. Logan said. The system would cost $5,100 per year.

County Manager Lee Smith said Wayne has been using eCivis for two years. In that time, the county has received close to $1 million in grant funding -- money county officials might not have known about without the service, he said.

"It's like you have a grant person right on staff," Smith said of eCivis. "It does in 10 minutes what would've taken weeks to go through.

"For us, it's been a benefit. And it's paid for itself," he said.

Smith said county officials have not considered hiring a full-time grant writer.

"We have not needed that," he said. "Let the people who do the research do the grants."